AAA Games With High Expectations Keep Getting Delayed, and It’s a Good Thing

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Gamers are familiar with the disappointment of waiting for highly anticipated, major game releases. These games are often announced years in advance, but their release dates frequently get pushed back, frustrating players who are eager to play. While a single delay can be irritating, repeated delays are incredibly frustrating and can drive players away. Despite being annoying, delaying a major game’s release is often a positive step.

Video games have changed a lot since the 1970s and 80s. In the past, developers could create and release a game in just a few months. Now, with more complex games and advanced technology, it’s much harder. Today’s big-budget games for consoles like PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch typically take three to seven years to make. This is because of the huge amount of effort involved. While developers announce planned release dates and work hard to meet them, it’s wise for players to be cautious about those announcements.

Delaying AAA Games Allows Devs to Fix Potential Problems

As a huge gaming fan, 2025 felt like the year of game delays! It became a running joke because so many titles we were all excited about kept getting pushed back. The biggest examples were definitely Grand Theft Auto 6 and 007 First Light. Rockstar announced they were working on GTA 6 way back in 2022, and we got our first official look in 2023. It even won “Most Wanted Game” at the Golden Joysticks in both 2024 and 2025 – everyone was so eager to play! Honestly, GTA 5 came out in 2013, so it’s been ages since we’ve gotten a new Grand Theft Auto game, and the wait just kept getting longer.

The release of GTA 6 has been pushed back multiple times. Originally planned for 2025, it’s now expected to launch on November 19, 2026. While disappointing for players, a little extra time is beneficial – you don’t want a game this big to feel rushed. A similar delay happened with 007 First Light, which ended up taking one of GTA 6‘s previous release dates and is now scheduled for May 27, 2026. These delays ultimately benefit everyone, serving as a reminder that developers and publishers should prioritize releasing a fully polished game.

The game No Man’s Sky provides a valuable lesson in game development. While it’s now a popular and well-regarded title, its initial launch in 2016 was a major failure. The developers made big promises about the game’s features to encourage pre-orders, but the released version was missing almost everything they had advertised. This led to widespread disappointment and significant refunds from Steam. No Man’s Sky perfectly illustrates how not to launch a video game. Originally an indie project, the game’s ambitious scope attracted a large player base who were initially let down, but it has since grown into a full-scale AAA title.

It’s Best to Delay and Not Rush a AAA Game

It’s always disappointing when a game is delayed, particularly when so many people are excited about it. However, it’s crucial to give developers the time they need. Releasing an unfinished game can be disastrous – just look at the infamous E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial game for the Atari 2600, which was rushed out in just five weeks and is considered one of the worst games ever made. No one wants a repeat of that failure, so delaying a game until it’s polished and ready is the best course of action for everyone involved – the developers, the publishers, and most importantly, the players.

What are your thoughts on AAA game delays? Share your opinion in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-01-01 21:42